The Ford Barn

gulfoil · 01-06-2024, 04:06 PM

I need to advance the timing on my distributor of my 39 V8 flathead. Do I drive the adjustment up or down? Thanks much!

gulfoil · 01-06-2024, 04:49 PM

For those that don't know, up is advance, down is retard!

flatjack9 · 01-06-2024, 05:34 PM

The distributor turns counterclockwise, so up (counterclockwise) is retard, down is advance. This would be for the 42 to 48 distributors. The early distributors would be adjusted as gulfoil has said because the adjustment is on the opposite sides of the distributor.

Anteek29 · 01-06-2024, 07:29 PM

I think Gulfoil has it correct...

GB SISSON · 01-06-2024, 07:48 PM

Using Jack's reasoning, I tend to agree with him. (That is if this adjustment fixture is on the right side of the distributor.) Are we having a poll here?

flatjack9 · 01-06-2024, 07:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Using Jack's reasoning, I tend to agree with him. (That is if this adjustment fixture is on the right side of the distributor.) Are we having a poll here?

The adjustment is on the right side. No poll needed.

GB SISSON · 01-06-2024, 08:04 PM

10/4 Jack. I didn't want to get up off the couch and go look at a distributor.

drolston · 01-06-2024, 08:56 PM

Right or left can get confusing as to the viewer's perspective. It is on the driver's side and up is advance. Each mark is 2 degrees. The next question is how much to advance.

You can do it by ear. Start at 2 degrees retarded to establish a sonic baseline. That is take the car out and floor it in second gear. Remember that sound. Pull over and adjust the advance one notch (up), 2 degrees, and repeat the second gear throttle burst. Keep advancing in 2 degree increments until that sound includes an added rattle sound. Like shaking a can with some gravel in it. The back off 2 degrees and know that you have it set right for all of the conditions that affect optimum timing. Like temperature, altitude, mixture, and gasoline quality.

35fordtn · 01-07-2024, 06:11 AM

The three bolt helmet type distributors, up is advance. The later two bolt ones (42-48) are opposite. Keep in mind the breaker plate is not precision machined and many times adjusting timing changes the dwell seperation.

KiWinUS · 01-07-2024, 09:20 AM

Left and right of a motor vehicle. It has nothing to do with “viewers perspective” the Right side of a vehicle has never changed the left side has never changed the inside is always the inside and likewise outside. What does change is “Drivers Side” or “Passenger Side “. This is a bad way to reference as there are left and right hand drive vehicles as we all know. We have many members on The Barn with some having LHD vehicles and others with RHD. Some are fortunate to have both. It is not “Rocket Science “ just the way it’s always been.

34fordy · 01-07-2024, 10:44 AM

Bubba would be having fun with this! IMHO, when the breaker plate is rotated counter to lobe rotation, the points open sooner and spark is advanced.

flatjack9 · 01-07-2024, 01:37 PM

We say left and right when viewed from the driver's seat, but rotation is as referenced looking from the front.

01-06-2024, 04:06 PM	#1
gulfoil Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 14	timing adjustment on exterior of distributor I need to advance the timing on my distributor of my 39 V8 flathead. Do I drive the adjustment up or down? Thanks much!

01-06-2024, 04:49 PM	#2
gulfoil Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 14	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor For those that don't know, up is advance, down is retard!

01-06-2024, 05:34 PM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor The distributor turns counterclockwise, so up (counterclockwise) is retard, down is advance. This would be for the 42 to 48 distributors. The early distributors would be adjusted as gulfoil has said because the adjustment is on the opposite sides of the distributor. Last edited by flatjack9; 01-07-2024 at 01:45 PM.

01-06-2024, 07:29 PM	#4
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor I think Gulfoil has it correct... __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

01-06-2024, 07:48 PM	#5
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor Using Jack's reasoning, I tend to agree with him. (That is if this adjustment fixture is on the right side of the distributor.) Are we having a poll here? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-06-2024, 08:04 PM	#7
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor 10/4 Jack. I didn't want to get up off the couch and go look at a distributor. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-06-2024, 08:56 PM	#8
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor Right or left can get confusing as to the viewer's perspective. It is on the driver's side and up is advance. Each mark is 2 degrees. The next question is how much to advance. You can do it by ear. Start at 2 degrees retarded to establish a sonic baseline. That is take the car out and floor it in second gear. Remember that sound. Pull over and adjust the advance one notch (up), 2 degrees, and repeat the second gear throttle burst. Keep advancing in 2 degree increments until that sound includes an added rattle sound. Like shaking a can with some gravel in it. The back off 2 degrees and know that you have it set right for all of the conditions that affect optimum timing. Like temperature, altitude, mixture, and gasoline quality.

01-07-2024, 06:11 AM	#9
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,327	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor The three bolt helmet type distributors, up is advance. The later two bolt ones (42-48) are opposite. Keep in mind the breaker plate is not precision machined and many times adjusting timing changes the dwell seperation.

01-07-2024, 09:20 AM	#10
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,963	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor Left and right of a motor vehicle. It has nothing to do with “viewers perspective” the Right side of a vehicle has never changed the left side has never changed the inside is always the inside and likewise outside. What does change is “Drivers Side” or “Passenger Side “. This is a bad way to reference as there are left and right hand drive vehicles as we all know. We have many members on The Barn with some having LHD vehicles and others with RHD. Some are fortunate to have both. It is not “Rocket Science “ just the way it’s always been.

01-07-2024, 10:44 AM	#11
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor Bubba would be having fun with this! IMHO, when the breaker plate is rotated counter to lobe rotation, the points open sooner and spark is advanced.

01-07-2024, 01:37 PM	#12
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor We say left and right when viewed from the driver's seat, but rotation is as referenced looking from the front.